These Boots Were Made for Stitching

If you love cowboy boots, you'll want to explore this website that uses stitched needlepoint canvases for the uppers of their custom boots.  You can use your own design, too.
http://www.TaBoot.biz/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Gossip Central Reappears

There was so much news yesterday that I decided to break this article in half and post about products, clubs and classes separately.  Orna Willis has created a fabulous video about the class she is teaching at ANG's Seminar in Philadelphia this year.  Her students will recreate the skyline of her city, Philly.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-philadelphia.html

Nimble Needle is going to offer Melissa Shirley's Golden Christmas Crackers club this year.  The stitch guides are by the amazing Robin King.  You can see more here.  By the way, there is a stitch guide for the similar Golden Candy Cane series if you want more than just the cracker set (second link).
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/05/melissa-shirley-christmas-cracker-club.html

http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galcol/index.cgi?index=1314383594_16695&col=160

Interested in stitching Little Shoppe Canvas Company's flip flop designs that make up into key fobs?  Diane has stitched several of these to use a gifts and highly recommends them.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/flip-flop-key-fobs.html

Need a new purse to keep that key fob in?  Diane has one of those, too!  She just got her new red nylon tote bag from Lee/Colonial.  I have the exact same bag in black and I just love it.  I've carried nothing else for almost two years, even though I've never managed to find the time to stitch a canvas to insert in it.  (Bad Jane!)
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/stash-enhancement-from-regal-rabbit.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Woodlawn Exhibit About to Open

The 2012 Woodlawn Plantation Needlework Exhibit opens Saturday, May 12. The judging has already been done, as this article in the Patch shows.  Once you read the article, click on the photo for a slide show of the judging underway.  Many thanks to Tara for posting this link on Facebook!
http://bellehaven.patch.com/articles/behind-the-scenes-of-the-woodlawn-needlework-exhibition-827e31ee#photo-9848933


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Needlepoint for the Politics Junkie

I know you are out there, political junkies. You follow elections like some folks follow sports.  With the Presidential elections coming up in the fall, you aren't hiding from the pollsters, avoiding the ads or ignoring the pundits.  You are critiquing them.  This is your Super Bowl.

So I have some needlepoint for you.  If you are too busy campaigning to stitch yourself, support the New Hampshire Historical Society by buying one of their Democratic/Republican dog collars, or pick up a Smathers and Branson belt to wear yourself.
http://www.nhhistory.org/store/det.aspx?UPC=DCNH1

http://www.smathersandbranson.com/web/catalog.aspx?group=6

If you want to stitch your own belt, CanvasWorks has both the Republican and Democratic version.  Susan Roberts also has party affiliation belts but I can't find any images online.  Sorry.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/clforpare.html

CanvasWorks also has decorative elephant and donkey canvases that are more subtle but still allow you to show off your political affiliation.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2015/10/shanta-vs-jake.html

If you need something quick and easy to stitch while watching the conventions, Painted Pony has simple graphic elephants and donkeys.  (Please note that are non-partisan patriotic patterns available from Painted Pony as well.)
http://www.needleartcloset.com/servlet/the-NeedlePoint-Canvas-Designers-O-dsh-Z-cln-Painted-Pony-Designs/Categories

There are stitch guides for these designs, too!
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/stitch.htm

If you have a mixed marriage, how about a Stars and Stripes tic tac toe game board?
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=13724&title=Stars%20and%20Stripes%20Tic%20Tac%20Toe&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Carolyn Hedge Baird taught a class with political animals for Chaparral.  These might still be available as a kit but you'll have to ask.
http://www.ndlpt.com/pdf/2008summer.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Gossip Central

With so many shops and designers having websites and blogs now, we get to know all the folks who cater to our stitching whims.   Here's a round up of the latest from our favorite folks.  Barbara Bergsten Designs just had another Lilly Pulitzer stitching day. This is their fifth stitch in, using Barbara's vibrant and happy colors to stitch her shift dress design. The second link shows the design they stitched.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/05/lilly-lovers-needlepoint.html

http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/01/ms11-needlepoint-pink-shift-finished.html

Kelly Clark has started work on her next seasonal crazy quilt needlepoint design.  There are lots of interesting touches on this one already.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/05/christmas-crazy-quilt-under-way.html

Tricia Nguyen reports that her Cabinet of Curiosities class (a two part class about the 17th Century embroidered boxes and how to make one yourself) has begun.  Even better news for those who regret not signing up is that Tricia has been able to obtain a promise of supplies for a second round of classes.  Here are the details.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2012/05/the-cabinet-of-curiosities-finally-starts/

Needlepoint Etc. in Hawaii reports that the building the shop is in has been sold, and plans for a move are in motion.  In preparation, thread inventory has to be reduced so for the month of May certain brands are forty percent off.  This is for in stock items only.  Here are the details.  The link to the shop website is on the right if you need contact information.
http://needlepointetc.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/tuesday-may-1/

Sadly, Needle Nicely reports that Petei is now officially retired as of the end of April.  Since no one has bought the line yet (keep your fingers crossed!), Mary Agnes is showing off the few remaining Petei designs she has in the shop.  Even more sadly, Petei's retirement is due to ill health.  We will all keep her and her family and friends in our prayers.  The loss of a Petei canvas we crave is nothing compared to the loss of a designer due to health issues.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/05/petei-retirement.html

http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/05/more-petei.html

http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/05/even-more-petei.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com With